Safety signal device.



8.,M. DOWNS 84 W. S. COOK. SAFETY SIGNAL DEVICE. APPLICATION FILED MAR. 15, 1915.

Fi til.

Patented Jan; 25, 1916.

V P INVQENTEIFIQS 1BY 14 'fl/Q ATTEJRNEYJE] vented new and useful is a vertical section taken in pairs. V

insist/rm in. nowns,

OE 3UFEALO, AND WALTER S. COOK,

YQBK.

OF LACKAWAN NA, NEW

SIGNAL DEVICE.

Application filed March 15, 1915.

To all whom it may; concern:

Be it known that we, Brennan M. Downs andVJALTaR S. Coon, citizens of the United States, residing Bufialq'in the county of Erie and State of llew York, and Lackawanna, inthe county of Erie and State of New York, respectively, have in- .impiOVQifiBlltS in Safety Signal Devices, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a safety signal apparatus whereby one person may signal other persons that a certain act is about to be performed so that such other persons may be placed on their guard, this signal apparatus being preferably so constructed that a cautionary or safety signal is given which remains efiective afterthe means which were lmtially operated to produce this result have become inoperative an" which remains efiective until instrunientalities operable elsewhere in the device have been actuated in order to restore the device to its normal inoperative condition. as a whole. An apparatus of this character is particularly desirable for use in connection with motor cars, such as automobiles and street cars in order to enable a on the car to not only give the stop signal to the motorrnan that the particular person giving the signal wishes to alight but also operate a prolonged safety signal wh ch serve as a warning to vehicles in the vicinity of the car that the sarne is about to come to a stop and thereby avoid accidents, this prolonged or auxiliary signal continuing in operation until the inotorman maipulates means for again rendering the auxiliary signal inoperative. A deviceof this character is equally useful in connection with stationary machines and other places which require protection against accidents in order to warn persons in the vicinity of the machine that the saint is about to be started or stopped. i

In the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 represents a diagrammatic view showing our invention organized for use as a signal de vice for electric trolley street rs. Fig. 2 line 'Z Q, Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a sectional side elevation of the starting QlGCtlOIIlQgH tic switch of our improved signaling apparatus.

Similar characters of reference indicate Specification of Letters Patent.

passenger or other person v manual switches 9, located. in

latented Jan. 235 lino.

Serial No. 14,351. corresponding parts throughout the several views.

When our improved signaling apparatus is applied to a trolley car it is preferable to utilize the electric current which is ordinarily supplied to the car for propelling the same as a current for also lightingthe safety or warning signal lamp, hell or indicator 1 of this system. This current may be supplied in any suitable manner, for instanceby an electric generator, 2 one pole of whichis connected with the track 3 on which one or, more wheels 4 of the car run while the other pole of the generator is electrically connected with the trolley wire 5 or other conductor with which. the trolley wheel 6 of the car engages.

'7 represents an ordinary electric signal such as now commonly installed on street cars in-the vicinity of the niotornian for the purpose of notifying the latter that one or more otthe passengers wish to get of? at the next crossing or station. As shown in Fig. 1 this notice or stop signal is represented as an electrical hell but, if desired, the same may be constructed inthe form of a buzzer or any other suitable form ot-signa l device. The terminals of this stop signal are arranged in an electric circuit which includes an electric battery or generator 8, and one or more push buttons or initial difierent parts of the car to enable passengers to notify the motorman where they wish the car V0 stop.

10 represents the coil of a starting electromagnet having its opposite ends connected with the poles or terminals of the stop signal 7 so that this coil is in series with the battery 8 and the push buttons 9. Opposite the pole of the core 11 arranged within the coil 10 is arranged an armature 12 which is adapted to be attracted by the pole of this core when the coil 10 is energized by the passage of the current from the battery 8 through the same upon closing one or the other of said push buttons. This armature is normally held away from the pole or" the coil 10 by means of a spring 13, the extent to which this armature is movable away from this pole being regulatable by means of a stop screw 14 hearing against the outer or rear side of this armature in the usual and well known manner in which this is the switch 'last mentipned switch may-be so organized that the same in' its normal position is closed but is automatically opened when the m0- torman swiings his cal-controlling lever 22 in a direction for starting the car but (hiring the return movement of this lever for stopping the car this switch will remain closed. As showniin Fig. 1, this switch comprises-a supporting, frame or casing 23, a fixed curved c tact 20 connected with one side of the circuit which includes the battery 19 and the coil 18 of the transferring eleetromagnet, a handlever 24 pivoted on the easing-in an uprightpositionand having an inner arm which supports the movable 'contact 21 adapted to move into and out of v engagement with the fixed contact 20 while motormans car controlling lever, and two retaining springs 26, 27 which are connected at one of their ends with the inner arm of the cut-off switch lever 24 while their opposite ends are connected with the casing on opposite'sides of the axis of the switch leits outer arm projects into the pathof the operate to return this switch lever to its normal upright position in which it engages j the fixed contact 20. If desired the lever 22 may be regarded as part of the means whereby the door of the car is opened and closed and so. operated that when the door is closed the cut-oif switch 20, 21 will be opened for discontinuing the .safety signal. Opposite the pole of the core of the coil of the transfer electro-magnet 18 is arranged an extension of the armature 12 so that when the coils of both the'starting and transferring electro-magnets are energized the same operate m unison to attract and shift this arrr'iature in opposition to the resilience of the spring 13. As this armature is attracted by the coil of the starting electro-magnet 10' a transferring switch is closed comprising a fixed contact 28 arranged a'djacenttothe coil 10 and a ren'iovablecontact 29 arranged on the armature 12, which contacts areal."-

ranged in an electric circuit containing a battery 30 or other electric generator, and the coil 31 of a holding electro-magnet. A movable 'armature 32 is arranged opposite the pole 33 of this last mentioned coil so that when the same is energized. by the closing of the switch contacts 28, 29 the armature 32 will be attracted in opposition to. a sprin 34 whieh normally holds the same away rom the pole 33 and against an adjustable fstop consisting of a screw 35 mounted on a post 36, as shown in Fig. 1. \Vhen the armature 32 is attracted by the pole-of the holding coil 31 an electric switch is closed compris ver. Normally while the car is running the switch lever is in an upright position and is yieldingly retained in this position by the 0 pull of the two contact springs 26, 27 being equalized and the car co'ntrollinglever of the motqrlnan is arranged on the left hand side of the? handle of this switch, as shown by full lines inFig. 1. As the motorman ,js'swmgs the controlling lever from left to right for starting the car this lever swings over the upper arm of'the switch lever 24 "and turns the same but owing to the len h f of the curved contact 20 no electrical. is

5 0 connection-is produced between the. fixed I contact and-:the switch lever, and the/latter is again returned to itscentral position after l the controlling lever has cleared the same during the last part of its movement toward "5 5, the right; -During the first portion of the' starting movement; of the-controlling lever at the 'righ' of theiswitch lever toward the left thereo this controlling lever first turns lever in the opposite direction so as to break ,electrical connection between the d ihefixled, curved contact ,20 and switch lever by the time as tlnaleftv the-.isprinzs 26. 27 again of its movement toward" ing a fixed contact 37 and a movable contact 38 mounted on the armature 32 and engag-- mgwith this fixed contact. The members of this last mentioned switch. form the terminals of an electric circuit which includes the safety signal lamps or other signal 1 which is adapted to warn persons 1n the vito stop and possibly remain at rest for a time. In the particular installation illustrated .in Fig. 1 the movable contact 38 is arranged on one side of this safety signal circuit which-iselectrically connected with one of the wheels 4 of the street car resting on the rail or similar part and is also connected in series'with the safety signal lamp 1 while the fixed contact 37 of this holding switch is connected by a branch line with,

a from its'position indicated by dotted lines the trolley wheel 6 which takes the current off the trolley wire.

Assuming that the parts are in the position mdicated in Fig. 1 and that -a passenger wishes to alight the first thing to do is to push one of the push buttons 9.v This closes the circuit of the battery 8 through cinity of the street car that the same is about the electric stop signal 7 and notifies the ing orstation. The pushing of the respective button also closes the electric circult through he coil ot the starting electro motorman' to stop'th'e car at the next cross lnagnet so that the osttcz-y coil and causes its pole to iitil'h sure 12. ll hcn this o-goni-s z-ontnci l of the starting switch and. ill-c co"- 23, ofthe ti'ziiisi'ei'r 1;: sn'iich 1 toneonsly ,ciosccL- lnssiiu i as the switch 20, 21 is in its closing of the contacts 1%, l7 oi snitch sons-es the .lmtt -y l!) is the coil 18 of the transferring o net, so that tho latter non ii-soon at this time assists the coil ll) oi electro-inagnet to retain the i. its attract-ed position in which the sit l6, l7 and 28, 9.9 are closed. llgon olosl the contacts 28, 29 of the transferring; so the electric circuit of the coil 31 of -38 hohl ing electro-magnet is closed and the latter becomes energized. so that its aim-store is attracted, thereby causing the switch, 37 38 to he closed and the safety signal 1 to lighted. The latter may convenient part of the car 0 o. nninbei the some may he placed at be placed at any of 26 of the car as may mo eilectuslly gusrsl agoins; no;

in the case of, street P it 19 n the collision n hind. This ed, it it is on electric la? 32 or iii if it is of a souncl producing oils long as the contacts 3'? 38 of the cut oil switch 20, 21 are in eng gcmcnt, liiYb-Ylill standing that the passenger has onshingone or the i the closing of this ho which inclndes tlic ssie' lain- 40 now no longer unoi' is con- 2ml fiery 8 out is under the so 19 in the oil-coitof the magnet. Tlicinoienientn. lover hy the motorinon from side of the ciitofizswitoh lever to too i ii han siils of the some does not ni feot the electrical orking of this switch owing to the factha'tdnring such niowament'the inner contactorin 21 of this SWltL l mow s 5' duly one: the sx'tsnaled cnivecl sli "aces of Contact 20 t will be. iorsn't thei'oloi'c that ti so: fol-c l'ii-illiili'l in opoi i the pass rigor gives the st 017 to alighling mail also time that the only is m; i9 is held in its onci-stive no. by transferring elcctro-insgnot after the leaseof the respective push button iiw nim-li 6 as at this limo only tlic coil 13 0? this 'nct is v oncrgized nliilc tlio coil 10 oi the starting: "lcti'o-niognot is dolinoi'gized by reason oi the push button having been released and no circuit of both the starting; coil 10 and tho 5 stop signal 7 being now open.

niotoi'nian moves his controlling A i-om right to left this lower engages nope-iilllfi of. the cnt-oii switch lover ninl tui'iis tho some, nioinentn 'ily in s direction in which its lower Contact ill'lil 21 swings t-on nixl the right out of engagement i'ro'm ills lixml cont-Act arm 20 so that the circuit of the coil 10 of the transferring wtioinngnot l8 broken and the latter oeconios do"- igixecl. After'the controlling lQYG-l has hoen pushed hythe motornmn to its fullest vxtcnt toward the left the latter sgjsiu News the cut-off switch lever and pQlRl'll, its springs to restore this switch lover to control normal operative position. The instant the transferring coil 18 liscon'ies (leinci'gizecl the spring 13 pulls the moisture, l'i sway from the pole of this coil, therebydisconnecting the contacts 28, 29 of the transits-ring switch and opening the circuit ot' the coil 81 of the holding electroinognct. lining to the latter becoming ins'tive the armature 32 is now pulled. away ni the mole oi the holding coil 31 by means oi" o s; 'iiig; 3 1", thereby separating the wool-acts 3'7, oi the holding; elccti'o-mognet causing the safety signal lamps l to illSllELl. The ports are now to the position which they 133' while the. car is running; operated for producing a toinoorm' stop for the inotoi'inan :ind' s QTOlODgUl safety signal which continnes in client from the time the stop signal has been given until the car is again stmrtstl bytheniotornismwhereby the, maximum safety for the passengers as Well as the operators of the car and persons in vsliiolos or automobiles is secured sociilon' s. "l he ohvions iliz: this signal device -l lo ()3. iii-any alterations in structure pout ii-sporting ii'oin tho spirit of this ,llllGll and that the sonic is not only asso? street cars but also automobiles, ht viii-s anal switching engines 01 t sins n (lnsti'iol plants. The. sonic can also be was to mlt'antnge in connection with various liiinls oi hazardous machinery orplmos whore it is desirable to give a warning and moi-c pui-tim1lmrl relative to the starting or stopping ol sonic movable pant.

ml ilm'ico ("()lllpitl'llillely siniisti'oct on it contains no (lGllCiltQ L liable. to got out of order illill tho sumo is \oi'y oilcctivo and. reliable in on so that the snow can bc (lopcncled onion.

noon ioi' .11;; persons of any dangerous situation with absolute certa nty that the signal when given will he maintained until 12s it is 'dchbci'atcly cut oil' at at point other safety s1 goal circuit containing a safety starting switch, a starting e 'ator, a transferring electro-magnet which holds said transferring switch closed and has its coil arranged in a transferringcircuit containing an electric generator and a manually operated cut-off switch and a starting switch, and a starting electro-magnot which closes said starting and transferring switches and which is arranged in a starting circuit containing an electric generator and an initial switch.

2. A signal apparatus comprising an electric safety signal circuit containing a safety s1gnal, an electric generator and a holding swltch, a holding electro-magnet operating said holding switch and having 1ts coil arranged in a holding circuit containing a transferring switch and an electric generator, a transferring electroanagnet which holds said transferring switch closed and has its coil arranged in a transferring circuit containing an electric generator and a manually operated cut-oil switch and a electro-magnet which closes-said starting and transferring switches and which is arranged in a starting-circuit containing an electric generator and aninitial switch, and a stop signal arranged in said last mentioned circuit and to be operated upon closing said initial switch. Y

3. A signal apparatus comprising an'elec tric safety signal, an electric generator and a holding switch, a holding electro-magnet operating l 40 said holding switch and having its coil arranged in a holding circuit containing a transferring switch and an electric gentrator, a transferring electro-magnet which holds said transferring switch closed and has its coil arranged in a transferring cirgenerator and a holding starting switch,

signal circuit containing a safety cuit containing an electric generator and a manually operated cut-oil switch and a a starting electro-magnet which closes said starting and transferring switches and which is arranged in a starting circuit containing an electric generator and. an initial switch, and a stop signal arranged in said last mentioned circuit and to bc opcrated upon closing said initial switch, said cut-off switch havinga movable switch"'lever which is yieldingly held in its central position.

l. A signal apparatus comprising an electric safety signal circuit containing a safety signal, an electric generator and switch, a holding electromagnetoperating said holding switch and having its coil arranged in a holding circuit containing a transferring switch and an' electric gen- .erator, a transferring electro-magnetwhich holds said transferring switch closed and has its coil arranged in a transferring circuit containing an electric generator and 'a manually operated cut-off switch and a starting switch, a starting electro-magnet which closes said starting and transferring switches and which is arranged in a start:- ing circuit containing an electricgenerator and an initial switch, said cut-offswitch having a movable switch lever which is yieldingly held in its central position, and anoperating lever movablepast said switch lever in two directions and to shift the latter while moving in one direction so as to open the starting circuit and while moving in the opposite direction to maintain said cut-off switch in its closed position. v

Witness our hands this 12th day of March, 1915.

BENJAMIN M. DOWNS. WALTER S. COOK.

\Vitnesses Tnno. L. Pom ANNA HEIGIS. 

